Paterson NJ rent control is real, and it covers most rental buildings in the city under Chapter 381, the Rent Leveling Ordinance. Under Paterson NJ rent control, a landlord can ask for a rent increase of no more than 5% a year, or 3.5% if the head of household is 65 or older or disabled.
Is Your Unit Covered by Paterson NJ Rent Control?
Start with the size of your building. According to the Paterson Rent Leveling Ordinance, Paterson NJ rent control applies to buildings with two or more rental units when the owner does not live there. If the owner lives in the building, it applies to buildings with three or more units. As a result, a two-family house where the owner lives upstairs is typically not covered.
There are some exemptions. For example, new construction can be exempt, but only if the owner asks in writing at least 30 days before the city issues the certificate of occupancy. In addition, a building rehabbed after being on the city’s vacant and abandoned property list is exempt for the first new tenant’s rental. However, most older apartment buildings are still covered by Paterson NJ rent control.
| Rule | What it says | Where it comes from |
|---|---|---|
| Covered buildings (owner does not live there) | 2 or more rental units | Paterson Code Chapter 381 |
| Covered buildings (owner lives there) | 3 or more rental units | Paterson Code Chapter 381 |
| Base rent date | Rents are controlled starting from the base rent the landlord was charging on December 23, 1999 | Paterson Code Chapter 381 |
| Yearly increase cap | 5%, or 3.5% for a head of household who is 65+ or disabled | Paterson Code Chapter 381 |
| Notice of increase | At least 30 days in writing, to the tenant and to the Rent Leveling Administrator | Paterson Code Chapter 381 |
| New construction exemption | Must be requested in writing 30 days before the certificate of occupancy | Paterson Code Chapter 381 |
Not sure about your address? Call or visit the City of Paterson Office of Rent Leveling and ask whether your building is registered and covered. Get the phone number and address from the city’s official website, and write down who you spoke with.
How Much Rent Can Go Up Under Paterson NJ Rent Control
Under Paterson NJ rent control, your landlord may ask for one increase a year. That increase cannot be more than 5%. If the head of your household is 65 or older, or disabled, the cap is 3.5%. For example, on a $1,400 rent, 5% is $70, so the new rent could be no more than $1,470.
These caps are written into the ordinance itself. They are not reset each year by a published index. The city PDF does not list a date when they will change. As a result, the 5% and 3.5% caps apply to increases in 2026 unless the city amends Chapter 381. Before your next lease year starts, confirm with the Office of Rent Leveling that the caps have not changed.
Notice matters, too. The landlord must give written notice of the increase at least 30 days ahead, to you and to the Rent Leveling Administrator. Paterson NJ rent control may also allow extra charges, such as surcharges for capital improvements or hardship. Our source does not list the terms for those, so ask the office before you pay any extra charge. New Jersey has no statewide rent cap, so in most cases the city cap is the limit that protects you.
Eviction Protections in This City
Paterson NJ rent control limits your rent. However, eviction protection mostly comes from state law. New Jersey’s Anti-Eviction Act requires most landlords to have a legal reason, called “good cause,” to evict. Typically, that means things like unpaid rent, serious lease violations, or damage. Some small owner-occupied buildings are not covered, so check with legal aid if the owner lives in your building.
In most cases, a landlord cannot evict you just because you refused to pay an increase that breaks Paterson NJ rent control. Only a court can order an eviction in New Jersey. A landlord cannot change the locks, remove your things, or shut off utilities to force you out.
What about relocation money? Our source for the Paterson ordinance does not list any relocation payment. If your landlord says you must leave for a no-fault reason, like major repairs or the owner moving in, ask the Office of Rent Leveling and a legal-aid lawyer what applies to your building.
What to Do If Your Landlord Breaks the Rule
The City of Paterson Office of Rent Leveling enforces Chapter 381. It handles complaints about illegal rent increases. Larger disputes can go before the city’s Rent Leveling Board. As a result, you do not have to fight an illegal increase alone or go straight to court.
Before you file, gather your papers. Bring your lease, rent receipts or bank records, and the increase notice. Also bring any texts or letters from your landlord. For example, a list of what you paid each year helps show whether an increase went over the Paterson NJ rent control cap. Ask the office how to file and whether you can get back rent you overpaid.
Keep paying the rent you legally owe while your complaint is open. That way, your landlord has no fair reason to file for unpaid rent. If you already have court papers, call Legal Services of New Jersey or a tenant attorney right away. Legal aid can check whether your Paterson NJ rent control rights were broken and help you in court.
📨 Get Free Tenant Rights Guides Alerts
Free · No spam · Unsubscribe anytime
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Paterson NJ rent control cover a two-family house?
It depends on whether the owner lives there. If the owner does not live in the building, two units are enough for coverage. If the owner lives there, the building needs three or more units.
Can my landlord raise the rent more than 5% when I move in?
Our source does not clearly say whether rent can be reset between tenants, except for exempt rehabbed buildings. Ask the Office of Rent Leveling for your unit’s registered rent history. That record can show whether your starting rent followed Paterson NJ rent control.
I’m 70 years old. What is my cap?
If you are the head of household and 65 or older, the ordinance caps your yearly increase at 3.5%. The same cap applies if you are disabled. You may need to show proof, so ask the office what documents it accepts.
Protect your stuff while you sort this out
A landlord’s insurance does not cover your belongings — renters insurance does, often for a few dollars a month. Compare options before your next move.
Find Your State’s Exact Rules
Notice periods, deposit caps, and the eviction timeline all change from state to state. Pick your state to see the exact days, dollar limits, and steps that apply where you live.
See Tenant Rights in All 50 States →
Sources & How to Verify
The rules on this page are drawn from official government and legal-aid sources. Tenant law changes, so always confirm the exact rule with your state’s statute or a local legal-aid office.
- HUD: hud.gov — federal renter protections and fair housing
- Legal Services Corporation: lsc.gov — find free legal aid in your state
- Cornell Legal Information Institute: law.cornell.edu/wex — plain-English legal definitions
- Your state statute & court self-help portal: search “[your state] landlord tenant act” and “[your state] court self-help eviction” for the exact law and forms
Content last reviewed September 2026. If you notice outdated information, please contact us.
New Jersey Renter Guides
- New Jersey Eviction Process
- New Jersey Tenant Rights
- New Jersey Security Deposit Law
- New Jersey Rent Increase Laws
- New Jersey Repairs and Habitability
- Breaking a Lease in New Jersey
Related Guides
- Tenant Rights by State (50-State Guide)
- More in This Category
- Tenant Scenarios — What to Do When…
- Notices, Letters & Documents
- Comparison Guides
- Tenant Rights Legal Glossary
Informational only — not legal advice. Tenant Rights Info is an independent educational resource, not a law firm, and this page does not provide legal advice. Landlord-tenant law varies by state and city and changes over time, so always verify the exact rule with your state’s statute, your local court’s self-help portal, or a legal-aid office. For urgent situations like an active eviction, contact a local legal-aid office or a licensed tenant attorney in your state right away.